Avicii found dead

20 April 2018

Newsdesk

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Swedish DJ, Avicii, has been found dead in Muscat, Oman according to his representative.

The Wake Me Up DJ, real name Tim Bergling, was only 28.

“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the loss of Tim Bergling, also known as Avicii,” the statement reads. “He was found dead in Muscat, Oman this Friday afternoon local time, April 20th. The family is devastated and we ask everyone to please respect their need for privacy in this difficult time. No further statements will be given.”

Bergling released two albums, 2013's True and 2015's Stories.

The tragic news emerges three days after the Levels star thanked fans for his nomination at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards in the Top Dance/Electronic Album category, a nod he received for his 2017 record, AVICI (01).

"Thanks for the nomination! @billboard #BBMAS," he tweeted on Tuesday (17Apr18).

Avicii recently retired from touring after pushing his body to the limit with his excessive partying while on the road throughout his 20s, a period of his life documented in Avicii: True Stories last year (17).

"It was hard," the DJ told Billboard in September (17). "I looked at myself like, 'F**k, you should've really stood up for yourself more there. Come on, Tim!' Why didn't I stop the ship earlier?

"The one thing that kept me from stopping was that I felt weird - like, 'Why the f**k can't I enjoy this like all the other DJs?' But I'm starting to realise that a lot of the DJs who look excited at every show have the same thoughts."

Avicii battled inflammation of the pancreas linked to excessive drinking and a burst appendix, and had to have his gallbladder removed.

"I needed to figure out my life," he said of his decision to give up touring. "I have too little left for the life of a real person behind the artist."

The two-time Grammy nominee took a year off from work in late 2016 to focus on his health and revealed he was cautiously planning a big return, after choosing not to see a single show in 12 months.

"I'm still traumatised," he added. "But I'm sure I will (attend a concert) again. I've started being able to listen to music again, getting a little bit of that joy back."

During his career, he won two MTV Music Awards, one Billboard Music Award and earned two Grammy nominations.

Calvin Harris tweeted: "Devastating news about Avicii, a beautiful soul, passionate and extremely talented with so much more to do. My heart goes out to his family. God bless you Tim x"

Devastating news about Avicii, a beautiful soul, passionate and extremely talented with so much more to do. My heart goes out to his family. God bless you Tim x